An interesting aside which only occured to me today, Riise the younger played at right back in a reserve (sorry, 'development squad') match the other day. I'd be very surprised if Jol sprang this one tomorrow, but what are the chances that given our recent injuries to right backs Jol is considering converting Bjorn Helge? He'd certainly be up to the mark on the attacking side of the role. If I remember rightly, he wasn't named as part of the Europa League squad, but it could be worth a try in a league game. Not against Arsenal though! Just a thought.
Ruiz not 100% but should start even if he doesn't play the full 90 minutes, according to Jol - http://http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/November/JolArsenalVideoPreview.aspx
A 0-0 draw for us would be a good result, I don't think that will happen. Arsenal are confident right now, and I think they'll expose our lack of pace all over pitch. This will be a test of character for the boys. We'll see how much fight is in them.
Todays game will be a difficult one,and our away record over the ten years we have been in the top flight is, PLAYED 101, WON 12, but who knows lets hope today will be lucky 13, and this evening is when we turn the corner.
How was Senderos? I think I'm in the minority here in preferring him to Hughes alongside Brede. Has he won over any of the naysayers today? I've seen and heard very little of the game so far, only the score and scorers (or should that be scorer?), so I'm asking in genuine ignorance, not ironically because I thought he was rubbish or triumphantly because I thought he was brilliant!
Senderos was good and I think he is technically better than Hughes. Played well and we defended against RVP very well. Personally I think the best defender we currently have is Baird. Tremendous performance! Generally the team played well Etuhu and Murphy were commanding the midfield. Had we been a tick faster going forward will have given them far more trouble! Final word on Murphy, he is currently irreplaceable going forward. He is the only one who can see space. The pass that led to the goal and few others were class! Looking forward I would play a younger team on Thursday resting a few players and give Liverpool a battle on Monday! The team is coming together nicely.
Agreed with Madness. Senderos did very well, although there is a touch of ' Zat Knight ' about him. Got booked again and I was convinced he was going to sent off at one point, but he got the decision. Baird had a blinder, but I so wish he had seen Vermalen coming for their goal, that said he should have been picked up before by the midfield. Murph's is still pulling the strings creatively, as Madness said he pass for Riise was sublime. Dembele is so good, his ability is ridiculous and he is beginning to drive at goal more and take on the shot. I though Ruiz quietly got on with his role and did so well. They guy has clear talent and when we talk of someone who can see space he has this in abundance. I remember him making a point after the Blackburn game that he did not get the time to take 2 touches on the ball and today it showed as he could of released it a little earlier at times. Make no mistake though, he has the vision and touch to be a hit in the premiership. What we need more than anything is one of 2 deeper midfielders making runs into the box. We played some excellent passing between the front 4 but if we had had someone else bursting into space or at least making space for the shot to be played we would be scoring more goals. Man of the man for me though was Dickson Etuhu. An immense game and suddenly he is showing signs that he can use the ball as well. Great performance and once again signs that we are not far off of being very good indeed. Ironic that we are better playing against the better teams where there is more space, a marauding holding midfielder could be the key to unlocking goals and doing a job on mid table teams. COYW
